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I'm not sure (the home is in SC and I am in MA now), but the hole is about 1/4" diameter, and goes straight through both parts (top & bottom) when properly closed. A padlock will not suffice because the top is flat and flush with the ground and this particular hole is about 1" inside the outer diameter. I could drive a screw into the hole but I am looking for something that is more of a deterrent.
thanks.

Hmm..As far as I know- There is not a locking device. There are products for commercial sites that lock but they are much larger and are not made of plastic. Unless someone else here knows of solution, I would take grass clippings and dirt and cover the lid so it is not as visible.

Xpedient Irrigation Inc. is a locally owned company that delivers solutions to all your sprinker system needs.
We service both residential and light commercial customers.

maybe a stainless security screw would work, you know the ones that have an allen hole with a little post to prevent the standard allen wrench? get a round head one that pliers won't work on, it's doubtful that anyone would go to the trouble to source the wrench I think...

Thanks...That security screw sounds about as close as I will be able to get to the right product...it seems that there is a market for this sort of thing...I'm not the only person with this exposure...

Many valve boxes (including 10" rounds) can come with what is called a "lockable" lid. The lock is just an angled bolt that stops the lid from being lifted. It is turned into place with a wrench.

I would not, under any circumstances, bury a valve box so it can not be found. We put valve boxes around things for a reason... so we have access to items for service. Burying a box is a guarantee of future headaches.

To the orignal poster: Do you reason to be concerned with the possibility of someone with bad intentions opening the valve box? Just asking because in my years of professional experience, I've never once encountered a customer with an issue, including large scale commercial sites where vandalism is a concern in general.

Many valve boxes (including 10" rounds) can come with what is called a "lockable" lid. The lock is just an angled bolt that stops the lid from being lifted. It is turned into place with a wrench.

I would not, under any circumstances, bury a valve box so it can not be found. We put valve boxes around things for a reason... so we have access to items for service. Burying a box is a guarantee of future headaches.

To the orignal poster: Do you reason to be concerned with the possibility of someone with bad intentions opening the valve box? Just asking because in my years of professional experience, I've never once encountered a customer with an issue, including large scale commercial sites where vandalism is a concern in general.

If valve box security is such an issue, replace the round box with a Ametek rectangular box, which is made with locking snaps built into the lid. (which many installers routinely remove, because the boxes are a royal pain to open without the special tool they never seem to have handy)

For "bobw"......this valve box houses the main water to the house, not to an irrigation system. as the house is currently a second home, and we are almost 900 miles away, we are concerned that the water could be turned on by vandals and left running. while we haven't had an incident, I am trying to think ahead. For "Wet Boots"..... this is my first experience with valve boxes, but I would imagine the Ametek rectangular box would need to have part of its base go under the piping, is that not the case? If not, that would be a solution.